Manor of Wind and Nightmares: A Gothic Romantasy Persuasion Retelling

by Rachel L. Schade

She fell in love with him…and then she killed him. Back from the dead, he craves revenge.

One year ago, Aurelia Sinclair assassinated Crown Prince Kaede of Willowbark to protect her family. Afterward, she fled the fae world, leaving her heart behind.

Until now, when Aurelia learns that the prince is alive and Willowbark is hosting a thirty mortal women will compete for Kaede’s hand in marriage. When her sister Callista volunteers, Aurelia, fearing for her safety, joins her as a guest of Willow Manor, an eerily sentient building that likes to play tricks on its inhabitants.

But while the contest is as deadly as Aurelia feared, a darker threat has emerged. Something bloodthirsty returned from the afterlife with Prince Kaede. Something that is contaminating his magic and threatening the lives of his people. And he’s determined to exact revenge on the woman who brought this fate upon him.

Aurelia’s only hope is to stay alive long enough to protect her sister. But as she’s once again forced into close proximity with the prince she loved and lost, she can’t help but long for a second chance…if they can overcome the darkness.

Genres: Fae

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2025

About the author

Rachel L. Schade was born on the first day of summer in a small town in Michigan, only to end up in another small town in Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University to learn how to write obnoxiously long papers, cite people who use big words, and discuss her passion: books. She has a great love for the color blue, sunshine, chocolate, and not folding her laundry. Currently she lives with her husband and surrounds herself with coffee and books on a regular basis.

Reviews

[Heather Inez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurelia strikes a deal with a fae king, provision for her family in exchange for temporary service to him.
Little did she know that service would be as an assassin to a fae she falls for.
A year later to protect her sister she finds herself in a bride contest in the fae world, a living manor that dislikes her, the blood thirsty fae court, vampires, monsters and... the man she killed, but he has changed.

I pre ordered this book but then was given the opportunity to be an arc reader for which Im truly I honored.
I really enjoyed this whole Brytwilde series, though they can be read separately. This one was vaguely based on persuasion which as Austen girly I appreciated. Great story telling and interesting world.

Pretty clean as far as spice goes, but quite a bit of kissing, some what described involving tongue and awkward neck nibbling ( man involved really didn't come across as liking her right then/wanted to kill her. Made it weird for me.) Mentioned but not described a couple groping each other.

Lots of violence, death, murder and lots of blood.
That being said I enjoyed the read.

[Reagan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want the vibes of the Selection, but make it gothic, fantasy, and sadistic THIS IS YOUR BOOK 📖 this book was 💋 perfection 💋 like, top five read this year 🤭 Rachel Schade’s Jane Austen fae retellings are EVERYTHING ✨ this one is based on “Persuasion” and 😏 so good guys

Aurelia. She’s a saint, besides the murd*r part 😂 sacrificing everything for her family, Aurelia has been chasing away the guilt that have haunted her ever since her wedding night to the fae prince 🔪🖤 she has been through SO MUCH and the “then” and “now” was absolutely DESTROYING ME 😭

Kaede. 1- I KNEW IT 😂 2- BAOAKDOWNSOPAJDOAAOPANSJDOAJSHIA there were so many moments I went… this is bad 😳 and then promptly SWOONED 🫠 back from the dead, the soft and gentle prince from before is gone 🖤 That shadows that followed him in death have come with him to his kingdom, and it’s only a matter of time before they consume him 🥀


GUYYYYYYS. I couldn’t sleep after reading this it was so good 😭 the time jumps were PERFECTION 🙊 the setting was gloriously creepy 🕸️ and the GAMES?! Oh my gosh I threw my kindle so many times it was so messed up 🫨 I ADORED IT ✨

and not to mention VAMPIRES?! Be still my heart I love them 😭 sue me 😂 the second chance, was AJAISKSIKSJSJ 😭😭😭 and the “Persuasion” tie ins were AMAZING Seriously if you love Jane Austen and want a clean fantasy book THIS ONE IS IT 😍

⚠️ Cw: 👏🏻 VIOLENCE 👏🏻 like, a lot 😅 innuendo, stupid people (guys I saw red I was so mad) ⚠️

[Patty Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book to read by this author and I loved it! It kept me guessing all the way to the end! It was dark, creepy, suspenseful, and full of trials! A little bit different than the fantasy I usually read, but I enjoyed every minute of it! Can't wait to read more of her books!

[Alexandra_Aimee_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Both poison and balm, the storm and the calm, is love that is lost forever. Though always in pain, still joy will remain, for a heart that is held by its tether.”

This book features…

❤️‍🔥 An assassin
❤️‍🔥 A deadly competition
❤️‍🔥 Star-crossed lovers
❤️‍🔥 Ruthless courtiers
❤️‍🔥 She’s strong, and he’s kind
❤️‍🔥 Passion and chemistry without open-door scenes so it’s suitable for all readers

This is the third book in the Fae of Brytwilde series. It’s my favorite so far! Come for a gothic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Stay for the multi-faceted characters who sidestep many of the tropes and pitfalls we see a bit too often in romantasy.

This book will make you feel everything: romance, devastation, anger, relief, joy, and excitement. I would love to see these characters again.

I sought an ARC of this book because I was eager to read it, but it was provided with no requirement to review so these are my sincere thoughts.

[Michelle Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really needed a palate cleanser after my last arc left me on a cliff hanger and I'm so glad I was selected for an ARC of this book.
I don't usually enjoy books that go back and forth in time but I really liked how this one was done. I loved the way we met the characters in the past and present at the same time.
Who doesn't love an sentient house that helps push stubborn characters to where they need to be?
I was surprised some of the side characters didn't turn out to be villains, I was expecting some betrayals to happen but after it was all said and done I'm glad that it didn't happen.
If you like strong fmc that sacrifice for the ones they love, kind and considerate mmc, betrayals, a sentient house and more toy will love this.
No cliffhanger hanger as it all wraps up this story in 1 book.
Thank you to Rachel for the arc and these thoughts are my own.

[Rai Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to beta read this story and I just have to say, Rachel Schade has done it again! At this point, I'm convinced she can do no wrong 🤭

There was not one thing I disliked about this story. Now, I know nothing about Jane Austen's Persuasion, so I can't speak on that (Manor of Wind and Nightmares is a loose retelling of Persuasion) however I love how original this story felt, with a dash of Hunger Games (there are trials and ooh wee, are they spooky and scary and deadly) I also loved how these characters initially came together, then were torn apart, only to come back together again. It felt like I got the slow burn trope twice in the story and twice I loved every second of it.

Honestly, Schade's stories are fantastic and sooooo swoony. She is absolutely an auto buy for me! Highly, highly recommend anything and everything Rachel Schade

[India c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunger games meets the selection meets Jane Austin. In this book we follow Aurelia as she embarks on two journeys; one from the past and one that is currently underway. She ventures into the fae world and meets an unlikely friend but after a mistake the friendship is cracked. When she ventures back into the fae world it’s to participate in a series of games for the prince’s hand in marriage. She went to stop her sister but then find herself falling in love with the prince. The character development and arcs are fabulous! This book was fast paced and slow burn romance but NO spice.

[Abigail Zepick · Rating 5 out of 5]

enchanting as always!

I’ve read the last two Fae of Brytwilde books as soon as they were released, and each has been sweeter than the last. They are such enchanting reads, the characters are lovable, and each has inspired me to read the original inspiration books as well! Persuasion ended up being one of my favorite Austen books, and this captured the tenderness of second chance so beautifully.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the unique storyline with the familiarity of Austen’s story. A second chance trope that definitely pulls on your emotional heartstrings! This is the second book I read from this author, and I will be reading more!

[Rachel Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovers to enemies to lovers? Didn’t even know I needed such a trope in my life, but here we are! This was so well written, dark, but the circumstances are understandable from Aurelia’s POV.

I just love Rachel Schade’s books and this one is on point! Do yourself a favor and read it today!

[RavenousRaven]

A LOVERS TO ENEMIES TROPE?!?! This tops enemies to lovers when it comes to emotional damage

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honored to beta read this Austen retelling of Persuasion, my favorite.

Can’t wait for it to be shared with the world!

[Britt · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️
I wanted to like this more but I struggled with the writing. The characters were flat and the inner dialogue was very basic. I did like the base story, I just couldn’t handle the execution.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.65

[Marie Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ this was goooooodd. I love that man 😩

[Abigail Schumacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan of the back and forth timeline - I did skim a good amount - the climax was emotional and worth it - her family was so annoying and undeserving of her sacrifice tho

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE Rachel Schade. Girl keep 'em coming. I'm not super familiar with Persuasion, but I absolutely loved this story and Prince Kaede. Plus watching Aurelia grow into her own was just 🤌🏻 I only wish we had gotten to see more of their relationship before she stabbed him lol.

🤎 Standalone (Fae of Brytwilde)
🤎 Fantasy
🤎 Persuasion Retelling
🤎 No-Spice Romance
🤎 Find it on: KU + Amazon + B&N